Tuna Pasta Salad is a classic recipe that everyone loves! This slightly lightened up recipe is delicious, easy, and perfect for any occasion.
Tuna pasta salad is a staple when it comes to BBQ's, pot lucks, or just a good down home meal. Using white albacore tuna is a must for tuna salad, as the chunky white tuna adds such a delicious flavor to the pasta salad. This salad can be made it just a few minutes, but it's best to let it rest in the fridge at least an hour before serving.
Whip this up and serve with a side of Corn on the Cob or Hamburgers!
This tuna pasta salad is such an easy recipe, and you probably have most of the ingredients already at home.
How to make Tuna Pasta Salad:
**scroll down for full ingredients list and printable directions**
- Prep all the vegetables and cook the noodles al dente; set them aside to cool.
- Make the dressing: Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill pickle juice, and ranch seasoning mixed together.
- Add all the vegetables, drained tuna, and dressing into a bowl with the cooled noodles. Add pepper and salt, then mix carefully until the noodles are completely coated with dressing.
- Pop it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
Tuna Pasta Salad should last at least 5 days in the fridge after making; keep tightly covered when not serving. I don't recommend freezing tuna pasta salad.
How to lighten it up the recipe:
- Using Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise is a great way to lighten up a tuna pasta salad.
- I used half Greek yogurt, and half light mayonnaise. You could leave out all the mayonnaise and use just Greek yogurt, however the flavor might be a little different than what is typical.
- Trying a 3:1 ratio of Greek yogurt to mayonnaise might be the best option if you are really trying to leave out the mayonnaise.
What to serve with Tuna Pasta Salad:
- Easy Baked Turkey Ham Sliders are the perfect fun appetizer! Layers of ham, turkey, and cheese between a buttery cheesy slider bun is the perfect combo!!
- Grilled Sausage Foil Packs are loaded with delicious sausage, red potatoes, mini corn cobs, and onions! Perfect for a quick easy dinner!
- Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs are covered with fresh pineapple and cilantro, then drizzled with sweet BBQ sauce! This is a meal even your pickiest eater will enjoy!
- Spicy Black Bean Hawaiian BBQ Burgers will be a hit at your next BBQ, and even the meat eaters will be asking for this recipe!
- Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Black Bean Burgers are deliciously cheesy, spicy hot, and protein packed black bean burgers! Perfect for the meatless grill option!
Tuna Pasta Salad is a classic recipe that everyone loves! This slightly lightened up recipe is delicious, easy, and perfect for any occasion.
- 1 lb macaroni noodles, elbows, shells, or rigatoni work well for this recipe
- 2 cans solid white albacore tuna packed in water, drained
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup light mayonnaise
- 1 TBS lemon juice
- 2 TBS dill pickle juice (remove from pickle jar)
- ½ TBS ranch seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- chopped parsley
- chopped chives/green onion
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Cook pasta noodles, drain, set aside to cool.
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Mix dressing: Add all dressing ingredients to a medium bowl and mix until combined.
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In a large bowl add pasta noodles, celery, tomatoes, onions, and tuna. Pour dressing over the top. Fold dressing carefully into the tuna pasta salad until completely coated.
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Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with parsley and green onion/chives if desired before serving.
Recipe Video
Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a large crowd. Tuna Pasta Salad should keep for at least 5 days in a tightly sealed container in the fridge.
First published May 2018. Updated May 2023.
Jacque Hastert
This is a summer staple at our home. I can't wait to give it a try!
Dee
This looks so refreshing and perfect for summer!
Cheryl
What would you serve with this something like fresh corn on the cob or,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Allyson
If you look above the recipe card, there are several suggestions with links! I also have a great Instant Pot Corn on the cob recipe!
Anna
This is the best tuna salad ever! Our whole family loves it!
Sabrina
This is a summer must have dish at every BBQ and potluck! Love it!
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity
This is calling my name! Would be a staple salad this summer!
Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling
I could definitely make a meal out of this! Yum!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
This looks fabulous! I need to try this recipe soon -- I love it, but never make it myself! Yum!
Miranda
This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I'll probably put some spicy dills in there too!
Topazthecat
This recipe is great but tomatoes should never be refrigerated and should be added last after you take the pasta salad out of the refrigerator.
Mike Dinicola
What are the nutritional facts of this salad
Erin
Not only is this recipe delicious but it's also got a little protein, which I love. The dill pickle juice is a good add!
jess
wow, this recipe is so easy and so tasty! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!
Beth
This is absolutely delicious! It's so full of flavor while staying relatively light. I love it.
Kristen
This was great, even my picky kids loved it.
Catalina
This is my favorite combo! The addition of tuna makes this pasta salad amazingly delicious!
katerina
I LOVE this tuna pasta salad!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
I would love this for lunch! SO delicious!
Erin
Looks incredibly delicious! Need to make this soon!
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert
So delish! My family loves this!
Sandra
This is one of the best tuna salad I've tried! It is so good and really tasty!